kinda...maybe, but I as a fan, am hoping we are in a P-5 so I don't have to look back to determine who was right on this or not as for national perception versus being a fan.
However, it is my opinion that the longer we are in the AAC, the more likely it will be that due to national interests when scouting talent, that those in the P-5 will have a major leg up on us. So as a fan, I will root for whoever suits up in UConn colors, but I wont be kidding myself if/when that talent pool starts to drop and we become more concerned with winning the AAC conference title game than the NCAA final four. ...and just because that currently negative view may exist - don't think that we are not fans! And know this is not going to happen tomorrow, but what happens when Coach K.O leaves for an NBA job??? Who replaces him? Lets be honest, it is much easier to replace a coach when your school is synonymous with the sport and has consistently good recognizable talent to play against. This may not be the case going forward. Right now UConn is relegated to the G-5. People in CT reminisce about the Whalers, so how well has the Wolf Pack caught on? CT is relegated to every pro minor league team out there and for what? So as a fan, it hurts to see UConn being relegated to the minors of college sports.
No one is disagreeing UConn's status in the AAC is hurting the short term excitement surrounding the athletic program. I think most fans miss the Big East type environment but missing it will not change the reality. Remember UConn did not choose to be in this position and it is amazing how well UConn has weathered the storm.
UConn basketball is still a big time player. This year's men's bb team is probably not our best ever but it would not be shocking to make a run in the NCAA tournament. Next year's the men's bb is bringing in a monster recruiting class, arguably UConn's best class ever, so obviously the AAC is not hurting our brand in bringing in talent. KO may eventually leave or he may not but as far as I can tell he seems happy at UConn. As fans we cannot allow the fear of an unknown future to cloud the present state of the program. There is no reason to think UConn basketball is faltering and as long as there is an NCAA tournament in which UConn can participate, players will come to Storrs. Winning a NC out of the AAC is the same process as winning a NC out of the ACC and recruits know they can win a NC at UConn while building an NBA resume.
Bottom Line: the sanctions, the banned tournament, the NCAA allowance of player transfers, and Calhoun's retirement slowed the men's basketball program a little but UConn has rebounded quickly. As for the women's bb program, it would be impossible to be any more dominate.
Football is a bigger issue. A program cannot win with only 5 good players (unlike in basketball) and the huge money involved makes P5 status a near necessity for perennial success. Yet, even with AAC status, UConn football is improving. There is no reason to be down on UConn football....we are trending in the right direction.
I get it... being in the AAC lacks the excitement of playing comparable P5 programs. And yes, being a non-member of the P5 hurts especially when listening to other obnoxious P5 fan bases. But I truly believe President Herbst and the UConn Athletic Department have done everything to position UConn appropriately for a P5 slot. Instead of feeling down about the direction of UConn athletics, we should be excited the UConn has rebounded and remained relevant.
Any critic who is taking shots at UConn is not recognizing how well UConn has persevered. UConn is still outperforming our regional rivals...even from the G5. UConn won't be there forever.